The Plymouth Rock Breeders Thread- Part Deux

[Egghead_Jr]

@Dr.Dale

I'm not going to repost those pics but will say that if you noticed her tail spread it wasn't a wide tent. You want Plymouth to have a ^ shape tail spread. That pullets tail spread was narrow. Her feathers were hiding a narrowing of body to tail.

The photo of top view of the cockerel you'll note the width of bird from shoulders was maintained back to tail. He had a wide tail set. The tail set it telling you things not easily noticed unless you put hands on bird and feel what's going on under the feather and fluff.

Speaking of fluff, cushions are the bain of Plymouth. Not so much in the more popular varieties like Barred and White but something to watch for. I've got birds with far too much cushion but am not going out in this rain to snap a photo. I've got something on my computer...

See the pullet in profile, head pecking ground. Now look at the hump before the tail. That sections, before tail, is the cushion. A pronounced cushion belongs on a Cochin not a Plymouth Rock.

• Egghead_Jr
• Oct 10, 2016

This bird does not have a pronounced cushion. It flows with back into tail seamlessly. In profile Plymouth backs should be a straight line to tip of tail. Nice easy curve base of neck then a straight line angled 15 degrees above the horizon. This bird in profile is just about right I think. Lost her to a predator. It's always the keepers you lose.

 

[Dr.Dale]

Many thanks for your advice. I still feel like a novice on the breeding end of things.

her tail spread it wasn't a wide tent. You want Plymouth to have a ^ shape tail spread

Thanks, I see that. The tail spread was probably no more than 15 degrees.

That sections, before tail, is the cushion

Most of mine have that, only one or two look like the other one.

What causes the cushion and why is it a problem?

 

[Mosey2003]

I've read the most that too short of a back causes the excess cushion. Whether there's another factor as well, like too soft of a feather, I do not know. I only have 2 without too much.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

That one Partridge hen was egg bound and didn't make it. Resulting in only 13 eggs going in incubator from the remaining hen in breeding pen. She'll stay in there for two more rounds of incubating her eggs. Need to hatch everything she gives at this point.

I've been busy with bee things lately and didn't want to burden the person watching the flock with a persistent broody so put 17 eggs under her yesterday for giggles. Should get one or two keeper birds from the little effort. Definitely need a new breeder cockerel. Put her in a dog kennel with hay under covered section of run. Will work as the brooder and initial grow out.

It's a slow start this year for sure. Long winter resulting in late lay and fertility.

 

[Mosey2003]

Oh no, that's some rotten luck! Hope your hatch goes splendidly. My eggs should ship today...

 

[Dr.Dale]

That one Partridge hen was egg bound and didn't make it.

Sorry to hear that

I know you thought that was a possibility, but this is one time that being right is small comfort.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

Most of mine have that, only one or two look like the other one.

What causes the cushion and why is it a problem?

You'd not want to breed the birds with pronounced cushion unless you absolutely have to. As Mosey said you can try to fix it in offspring by mating to a male with long back. Single mating is your friend. Multiple breed pens with a pair or trio in each. Matching the birds to complimentary attributes.

It's a problem as it's hard to get rid of and not at all what a Plymouth Rock hen should look like. It's best not to breed from them but numbers of quality birds can be dismal and at times we are forced to move forward with what we have. Cull hard and think of hatching all eggs from very few birds rather than filling incubator with eggs from every bird.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

Dismal fertility rate. Of the 14 eggs from the one Partridge in the incubator one broke, I keep forgetting not to put eggs directly under thermostat, and 7 are infertile. I didn't start to collect until I saw the first fertile egg hence the late start to incubating. Guess she still had misfires coming. No signs of early quitters just clear eggs with yolk.

All I can do is hope all six remaining hatch this Sunday. And that her eggs sitting on counter awaiting incubation are mostly fertile. The good news is she has yet to brood. Knock on wood.

 

[Mosey2003]

Well that's disappointing.

I have only 10 eggs developing from 34 shipped, I'm pretty sad about that, but it's better than nothing.

Annnnd I have another broody If I ever get the time and energy to cull my non-keepers out, I'd give her a batch of eggs to set. Although I really don't like the idea of her brooding when it's about to be this hot, and the nestbox she's in really isn't suited for it. If I make things happen I may try to move her to the floor.

 

[Dr.Dale]

All I can do is hope all six remaining hatch this Sunday.

Best of luck with the hatch! Sorry to hear about the fertility. That sounds frustrating. Do you think it is your hen or your roo?